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5 huge talking points Game of Thrones 6.07 ‘The Broken Man’

Game of Thrones‘ seventh episode ‘The Broken Man’ seemed to set the action in motion for what’s been billed as an epic season finale. What are the biggest talking points of the episode and what do they mean for the series to come?

1. Who is Sansa writing to?

The show wants us to think that Sansa is writing to beg Littlefinger for the army she refused last episode. With only 2500 men to face Ramsay’s 5000 and time rapidly running out, Sansa will pay any price to beat her husband to the ground. However, that seems a bit obvious. Another option could be that she is writing personally to her uncle Brynden Tully (a.k.a The Blackfish), who we also saw this episode defending Riverrun from Jaime’s men, for his help with an army. This option probably won’t lead anywhere as the Blackfish looks set to spend two years holed up in Riverrun. Sansa could alternatively be penning her own threat to Ramsay – maybe to psych him out – or even writing to yet more Northern houses to ask for their allegiance. Perhaps she’ll manage to sway the Karstarks or the Umbers or the Manderlys into betraying House Bolton?

2. Will the Hound get revenge?

Sandor “The Hound” Clegane made a surprise return as a member of a Septon’s flock in ‘The Broken Man’, but the fragile peace he had at last found was later torn to pieces by the Brotherhood Without Banners. Sandor has spent his entire life driven by the desire of taking revenge on his older brother Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, but maybe he can fuel that same fury towards those who took away Brother Ray and his newfound community? The Brotherhood seem more vicious than ever before – could this be a hint towards a change in leadership? I’ll say nothing more for TV-only readers, but maybe there is a heart-shaped stone in the works.

3. How will Arya survive?

Arya faced grievous stomach wounds in ‘The Broken Man’ after the Waif, disguised as a rather obvious old woman, finally attacked the youngest Stark daughter. Arya’s training meant she was able to escape, but now she faces a lonely wander through Braavos for help – and by the way her wounds are spewing blood, she can’t have much time left to find it. Arya has to survive for at least a little longer, however, as we caught glimpses of as-yet-unaired Arya scenes in the season six trailers. Plus it would make her entire story for these last few seasons completely pointless as her death would affect no one (see what we did there?). One option she has is the actress Lady Crane, who owes her her life – or else Jaqen might turn against the Waif for her failure to follow instructions (he told her to give Arya a painless death).

4. What will Cersei do next?

At the end of ‘Broken Man’, Cersei is without Jaime and her fragile alliance with the Tyrells to destroy the High Sparrow had been broken. Margaery convinced her grandmother Olenna to leave the capital, and presumably her father Mace will follow. However, the Queen of Thorns did not enlighten Cersei with the information that the intelligent Margaery is still loyal to the Tyrells and seems to have a plan in place. This means that the significantly less clever and more vengeful Cersei may attempt something dangerous in an attempt to achieve her means and reclaim her son Tommen from the grasp of the High Sparrow. It’s felt a lot this season that something is building up with Cersei, and if teasers from episode 8’s promo are to go by, she could be ready to erupt.

5. Can Theon and Yara convince Dany to join them?

We mostly just want this to happen because Dany needs to get on some damn ships and sail to Westeros already, preferably without checking on Meereen first. Yara and Daenerys would be an interesting alliance, and we’d like woman power far more than a marriage alliance between Dany and the horrible Euron. Theon also seems to have made a decision to try to overcome his clear PTSD, which we hope is something he is able to achieve.

Game of Thrones airs on Mondays at 2am and 9pm on Sky Atlantic in the UK.